Sardines in spiced oil

Sardines in Spicy Oil with Piri Piri from Portugal

Porthos sardines in spicy oil are whole Portuguese sardines in a flavorful sunflower oil with piri piri, known in Portuguese as Sardinhas em Óleo Picante. Boldly seasoned, but not overwhelming – the green tin for those who like it spicy.

Sardines in spicy oil are the fiery Portuguese variety: whole, hand-selected sardines, packed in sunflower oil and seasoned with piri piri, and lightly salted. Aromatic, spicy, and firm in texture. Piri Piri, the small, hot chili pepper, once arrived in Portugal via sea routes from Africa – and now sits right in the middle of this tin.

Spicy, bold, and fiery

The seasoned oil provides a clear, warm heat that comes from the piri piri and plays around the fish. Not a mild oil-packed fish, but one with temperament.

The sardine remains firm, and the oil becomes a little spicier with every day in the pantry. The longer the tin rests, the deeper the heat penetrates the fish, making the sardines in spicy oil even more well-rounded over time. The tin itself is striking: dressed in green, it stands out among its siblings, signaling from the outside that something fiery awaits within.

Those who love heat know: piri piri doesn’t burn dully, but vividly, with a fruity undertone. This is exactly the kind of heat Porthos packs into this green tin, without letting the fish get lost beneath it.

Spicy on bread or in pasta

It’s quickest on crusty bread, served with the spicy oil drizzled right on top. For something more substantial, toss them over hot spaghetti with garlic – a spicy pasta dish in ten minutes. A few drops of lemon on top, and the heat gets a fresh lift.

With rice, white beans, or a fried egg, this heat is on the table in no time. It pairs well with bold accompaniments and a cold beer. If you prefer chili in olive oil, reach for the spicy sardines in olive oil; for something completely mild, opt for the classic sardines in olive oil. You can find our entire range of sardines from Portugal here.

Piri Piri and a musketeer from Matosinhos

Porthos is at home in Matosinhos, the port city near Porto, where the cannery Conservas Portugal Norte has been hand-packing Atlantic fish for over 100 years. Its roots date back to 1912.

The brand is named after the musketeer Porthos from Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel, the strongest of the three friends, as Dumas intended. Until the 1950s, only the lettering appeared on the tin; then the dapper musketeer was added, and he has been the face of the brand ever since. It is a nice coincidence that the strongest of the three friends adorns the spiciest sardine.

Piri piri is a great match for Porthos: a chili that traveled halfway around the world with Portuguese seafarers, just as the artistically lithographed tins do to this day. You can find the entire selection in our Porthos collection. Spicy, but with style. A fish with fire, packaged in a piece of Portuguese history that you can bring into your own kitchen.

Contents 125g – Drained weight 87.5g